A vegetarian Thanksgiving menu demands a centerpiece as dramatic and satisfying as a turkey. This recipe is it: crusty phyllo pouches full of lightly spiced fall vegetables. The cool, creamy yogurt sauce balances the heat from the green poblano chiles in the filling. You can prepare the filling and sauce earlier in the day and refrigerate until ready to assemble and bake the purses.

Preparation

To prepare sauce, combine the first 6 ingredients; cover and chill.

Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare purses, arrange the squash and bell pepper halves in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; coat the vegetables with cooking spray. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes or until squash is tender, stirring after 20 minutes. Cool slightly. Thinly slice bell pepper halves, and set aside.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°.

Cook cumin seeds in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 1 minute or until toasted and fragrant. Add oil to pan; increase heat to medium-high heat. Add leek and poblanos; sauté 8 minutes or until leek is tender. Cool slightly.

Place 1 phyllo sheet on a large cutting board or work surface (cover remaining dough to prevent drying); lightly coat with cooking spray. Top with another phyllo sheet; lightly coat with cooking spray. Gently press 2 phyllo sheets together. Spoon about 1 1/4 cups squash mixture into center of phyllo stack; top with 3 tablespoons cheese. Gather 4 corners of phyllo, and crimp and twist to seal, forming a purse. Lightly coat purse with cooking spray; place on a baking sheet. Repeat procedure with remaining phyllo, squash mixture, and cheese to form 8 purses. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until phyllo is browned and crisp. Serve with sauce.